Multi-platinum award-winning singer and songwriter Emeli Sandé has returned to check out the University of Sunderland’s new state of the art photography and media facilities.
Sunderland Vibe popped along to see inside University of Sunderland’s new £1.4m state-of-the-art facilities!
Take a look inside Sunderland Uni’s new £1.4m state-of-the-art facilities!
Last month, Emeli, Chancellor of the University, took a tour around the Sir Tom Cowie Campus which is home to the new photography centre, a new virtual production studio and community radio station Spark’s new studio.
Lee Hall, Head of the School of Media and Communication at the University of Sunderland, recently shortlisted as University of the Year, in this year’s THE (Times Higher Education) annual awards, said:
“This is a special time to be studying media at Sunderland.
“The Media Centre is a thriving hub of activity, home to BBC Newcastle journalists, TV station Tyne and Wear Local and now Hollywood production powerhouse Fulwell 73.
They provide the icing on the cake for our industry-focused School of Media and Communications, with opportunities to connect to a company at the front edge of TV content globally.
“We also have our own blockbuster brand in Spark, a radio station broadcast from the newly revamped Studio 5 and shortlisted for nine Student Radio Awards this year, including Best Station.
“As well as opportunities to connect with employers, which are an integral part of our offering, students are increasingly exploring enterprise.
Many have signed up to the Digital Incubator to access guidance and funding to launch their freelance careers and media businesses.
“With new investment in a 4k Ultra High Definition virtual production studio, as well as our superbly-equipped multi-camera TV studio, we are giving students a platform to do their best work with cutting edge technology and expert support from our technical and teaching teams.”
And it doesn’t stop there. The University has ambitious plans to invest in the Media Centre, including upgrading the mediaHUB and cinema.
Professor Arabella Plouviez, Academic Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries at the University of Sunderland, said:
“Our aim is to continue to develop our professional media environment whether you are interested in film, tv, podcasting, photography, animation, journalism or games, and to support our graduates into the creative industries of today and tomorrow.”
What’s new at the University of Sunderland?
NORTHERN CENTRE OF PHOTOGRAPHY
The £1.1 million centre at David Goldman Technology Centre is kitted out with architect-designed breakout spaces with access to the new Digital Incubator, which supports students interested in exploring freelance work.
VIRTUAL PRODUCTION STUDIO
The £300,000 system at the David Puttnam Media Centre includes a wireless-linked handheld StarTracker Viewfinder, high-grade green-screen walls and flooring, and a Mo-Sys StarTracker Studio with a camera tracking unit – the same tech used for the BBC’s Tokyo Olympics studio coverage.
SPARK’S STUDIO 5
The new £80,000 custom-designed studio, also at the Media Centre, includes new wall art designed by Sunderland graduates, a new camera system, which allows students to film or stream interviews, and a new height adjustable desk. It was officially opened in September by BBC Radio 1 presenter and Sunderland graduate Jordan North.
For more information about programmes on offer at the University of Sunderland, visit sunderland.ac.uk.
What do you think of Sunderland Uni’s new £1.4m facilities? Get in touch online. Twitter: @SunderlandVibe, Instagram: @SunderlandVibe, Facebook: @SunderlandVibe.
